Mike Miller still here, still planning to play this season

Throughout the past season, Mike Miller was fully prepared for the Heat to use the amnesty clause on him at the end of it.

In fact, he often spoke as if it was a foregone conclusion, at least until he was informed that the Heat didn’t need to use it in the first two seasons of his contract — but rather, could use it at any point during his deal. It never made any sense for Miami to do it this offseason, since there was no salary cap benefit, and the real tax consequences don’t kick in until 2013-14.

Now it’s official. The amnesty deadline for 2012 has passed, and Miller remains on the roster.

That was no surprise.

Nor was it a surprise that Miller told the Associated Press that he has no intention at the moment to retire. He made many off-the-cuff comments and jokes about retiring during the season, mostly out of his frustration because of his battered body and his limited role, but he never made a definitive decision.

The only mild surprise out of the Associated Press interview was that he does not currently plan to have back surgery. The back was so bad during the playoffs that he required an epidural shot just to get through the first round. But he has felt better of late, and the renowned Dr. Barth Green — who happens to be the father of Nick Arison’s girlfriend — has advised Miller to wait, so long as he is improving on his own.

So, at this point, expect Miller to be available for training camp, and part of a crowded perimeter rotation.